Large Floor Clock With Rotating Circles And Putti – 19th Century – Height: 135 Cm

Large floor clock with rotating circles and putti—19th century—H. 135 cm—France

Spectacular floor clock with rotating circles, 135 cm tall, crafted from silver-plated metal and bronze or gilded brass, in the style of the great French Louis XVI-style clock creations.

Description

The piece features a particularly elaborate design. The upper part of the clock consists of a large circular body housing the movement, flanked by two winged putti in the round, crafted in silver-plated metal, which appear to support the dial. The dial employs the so-called “rotating circles” mechanism: the hours are displayed on enameled cartouches bearing Roman numerals arranged on a rotating ring, rather than on a traditional dial.

The movement is concealed beneath an imposing cover decorated with a radiating pattern of lanceolate leaves, topped with a handle shaped like a pinecone.

The tall column is entirely carved with fluting, acanthus leaves, garlands, and floral cascades. It rests on a large, highly decorative architectural pedestal, adorned with winged putti heads, powerful leafy volutes, and, at the center, a medallion depicting the head of a cherub.

The alternation of silver and gilded surfaces accentuates the relief of this monumental composition and lends it an exceptional presence.

The original mechanism is still intact, featuring a rotating ring with enameled cartouches and Roman numerals. This type of mechanism, known as rotating circles, appeared on particularly elaborate French clocks as early as the 18th century and was widely revived in the 19th century. Monumental examples from the second half of the 19th century also feature putti and rotating ring dials.

France, second half of the 19th century.
Louis XVI / Neo-Louis XVI style.
Silver-plated metal, bronze, or gilded brass, with enameled elements.
Height: 135 cm.

A truly beautiful ceremonial piece, remarkable both for its size and for the richness of its decoration and the sculptural presence of its two putti. Mechanism needs servicing

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